Make Your Home Energy Smart

One of the biggest expenses homeowners have each year is the utility bill

. It doesn't matter whether you live in the north, south, east, or west part of the United States. You will still have some type of an electric bill. Whether you pay for heating, air conditioning, or a combination of both, there are a few ways that can get that electric or energy bill decreased each month. A energy smart home will cost you less money so that you can do other things with your money instead.

Have an Adequate Roof System

What does heat do? Heat always rises. Therefore, if you have a house with the furnace on, all that air will travel upwards. Do you have a good roof system in place to keep too much air from seeping out? Is the venting system in the roof adequate enough to let out air to keep the circulation in the attic flowing where the insulation doesn't, and then the roof doesn't heat from the inside out?

There is a fine line between having a great roof system and a poor roof system. Obviously, the roofing needs to keep out the elements like rain, snow, sleet, and ice, but it also keeps the warm air inside. However, during the summer, all of that warm air can be damaging to the insulation and the underside of the shingles on the roof. If you don't know if your attic venting is adequate, check them. Do you have roof vents along the entire roof line? Do you have open vents, or are they blocked at the roof line? If you don't know how to check the venting, a professional can come evaluate it and see if you need a new roof on the house.

Adding Insulation Helps You

When people think of insulation, it makes them think of heat. However, insulation can also help keep the house cool. The insulation keeps any type of air inside, no matter if it is warm or cold. So if you air condition the house nine months out of the year, then you will want proper venting on the roof, in addition to the insulation to help keep the cool air from leaking outside. Insulation is very important when you live in the colder climates, because it can make the difference between an average electric bill and an expensive one.

Insulation can be added to your house, no matter how old it is. Insulation can be purchased in the large rolls or you can have it sprayed in. The spray kind is more expensive, but it can get into more cracks and crevices, and it can keep out the cold drafts that cool off the house in the fall and winter months.

Update Your Windows

Windows might not seem like an obvious energy upgrade, but they are. The thickness and durability of the glass can hold in warm and cool air, and also keep the outside air in the outside. New windows also help repel the sun in the summer to keep out additional heat. When you purchase an older house, they might have wood or aluminum framed windows that are very drafty. Those drafts might seem small, but multiply that by each window in the house and you can see where all of the air from the inside leaks out. The hot or cold air gets in and makes your furnace or AC unit run twice as much. If you are looking to be more energy smart for your home, contact your local contractor.

by: Steve Field

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